Emergency contraception (morning after pill)

Yes – Levonorgestrel (LNG) becomes less effective the longer you wait to take it. A trial undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that Levonorgestrel (the drug in LNG) prevented:

• 95% of expected pregnancies when taken within 24 hours of sex;
• 85% if taken within 25-48 hours;
• 58% if taken within 49-72 hours.

If you need emergency contraception for recent unprotected sex, you will be asked:

• when you have had unprotected sex in your current menstrual cycle;
• the date your last period started;
• sometimes you'll be asked the usual length of your cycle (from the start of one period to the next);
• details of any contraceptive failure (such as how many pills you may have missed, and when);
• if you use medication;
• your medical history and sexual health history.

Your period may come on time or a few days early or late. If your period is over a week late, take a pregnancy test.

The sooner you take Levonorgestrel (LNG) or Ulipristal acetate (UPA), the more effective it will be.

If your next period is more than 7 days late, or is unusually light or short, contact your GP as soon as possible to check for pregnancy.

If you are unsure about either of these things, and you think you may have had unprotected sex in the last 72 hours, you should take emergency contraception.

Ask your GP or nurse if you want to get the emergency contraceptive pill in advance if:

• you are worried about your contraceptive method failing;
• you are going on holiday;
• you cannot get hold of emergency contraception easily.

Yes, you can take emergency contraceptive pills while breastfeeding. You can also have the IUD fitted while breastfeeding as long as you are more than 28 days post-delivery.

The emergency contraceptive pill will not prevent future pregnancies if you have unprotected sex again, so you should make sure you are taking your contraception correctly.

For Levonorgestrel (LNG): If you are using emergency contraception because you forgot your regular pill or did not use the patch or vaginal ring correctly, you should take your regular pill again, insert a new ring or apply a new patch. Use additional contraception, such as condoms:

• for 7 days with the patch, the ring and the combined pill;
• for 2 days with the progestogen-only pill.

For Ulipristal acetate (UPA): If you forgot your regular pills, did not use the patch or vaginal ring correctly, or want to start using hormonal contraception, you should wait for 5 days after taking UPA. This is because UPA can reduce the effect of hormonal contraception.

• use additional contraception, such as condoms;
• with the patch, the ring and the combined pill, for 7 days (9 days for Qlaira pill);
• with the progestogen only pill, for 2 days.

Your period is likely to come on time or a few days early or late. Sometimes it can be a week late and sometimes even later. You may have some irregular bleeding after you take the pill, and before your next period. This can range from spotting to quite heavy bleeding. If your period is over a week late, take a pregnancy test.

Ulipristal acetate (UPA) may not be suitable for people who are using proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (antacids that regulate their stomach acid levels).